Variety of geranium plant named ‘Penlava’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct zonal  geranium  plant with intense purple colored flowers above medium green foliage. The plant flower is suitable for pot planting and as a bedding plant.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Penlava’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known by the varietal name ‘Penlava’. The newvariety was discovered in 1994 in a selective breeding program inDresden, Germany. The new variety is the result of the crossing of darkleafed breeding varieties. The exact parents are unknown. The newvariety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Dresden, Germanyin 1995. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to typethrough successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type;

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the entire plant; and

FIG. 2 is a close-up of the flowers of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Dresden, Germany.Plants were grown in greenhouse conditions and were nine months old whendescribed. The color readings were taken outdoors in shadow duringsummer. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Pelargonium×hortorum.        -   Commercial.—Zonal geranium.-   Form: Erect.-   Height from media surface to top of foliage: 40 cm.-   Height from media surface to top of umbel: 50 cm.-   Average spread: 30 cm.-   Growth: Medium degree of branching.-   Strength: Does not require artificial support.-   Response time:    -   -   Time from cutting until plant is rooted.—3.5 weeks.        -   Time from cutting until plant flowers.—3.5 months.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—8-10 cm long; 8 cm wide.        -   Shape.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Partially toothed.        -   Texture.—Hairy.        -   Color.—Green Group 139A with weak zone of 147A.        -   Ribs and veins.—Color: Brighter than leaf surface.-   Petioles:    -   -   Color.—147B.        -   Length.—6-8 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Strength.—High.        -   Surface texture.—Rough.-   Stem/branches:    -   -   Length.—20-25 cm.        -   Width.—10 mm.        -   Color.—139A.        -   Internode length.—4-6 cm.

THE BUD

-   Shape when just showing color:    -   -   Overall.—Spherical.        -   Individual bud.—Elliptical.-   Color: Green Group 136B.-   Size when just showing color:    -   -   Umbel.—8-10 cm across.        -   Individual bud.—1.2 cm long; 0.6-0.8 cm wide.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Average number of flowers per inflorescence: 10-15.-   Blooming habit: Semi-double.-   Size of fully open bloom: 4.5 cm across.-   Borne: Flowers on umbel; umbel on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.-   Flowers:    -   -   Form.—Zygomorph.        -   Number of petals.—7-9.        -   Petals.—Length: 25 mm. Width: 23 mm. Shape: Fan-shaped.            Margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: Purple Group 78C.            Lower surface: Purple Group 75C.        -   Eye color.—57A.        -   Texture and appearance.—Velvety.-   Petaloids: Absent.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—2.0-2.5 cm.        -   Color.—Reddish-green.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—10 cm.        -   Color.—Reddish-green.-   Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases or    pests has been noted to date.-   Weather tolerance: Very heat tolerant, not cold tolerant.-   Lasting quality: Long-lasting; 4 weeks per umbel.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Anthers.—3 mm long.        -   Filaments.—Length: 0.5 cm maximum. Color: White.        -   Pollen.—Orange.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—Five.        -   Length.—0.3-0.4 cm.        -   Stigma.—Pink.        -   Style.—0.8 cm long.        -   Shape.—Actinomorphic.-   Ovaries:    -   -   Color.—Greenish.        -   Length.—0.4 cm.-   Fruit: Very rarely present.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

-   -   1. Dark-leafed.    -   2. Intense flower color with eye.    -   3. Shiny flower color.    -   4. Vigorous growth habit.

1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantially as shownand described.